Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)
| "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
_cover.jpg) | ||||
| Single by Boston | ||||
| from the album Third Stage | ||||
| B-side | "Cool the Engines" | |||
| Released | April 1987 | |||
| Format | 7" 45 RPM | |||
| Recorded | 1981-1983 at Hideaway Studios | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 3:58 | |||
| Label | MCA | |||
| Writer(s) | Tom Scholz | |||
| Producer(s) | Tom Scholz | |||
| Boston singles chronology | ||||
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"Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)", also known as "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)/Still in Love" or "Can'tcha Say" is a song written by Tom Scholz that was first released by Boston on their 1986 album Third Stage. It was released as the third single from the album and reached #20 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] It also reached #7 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and #27 on the Cashbox chart.[2] In Canada, the song peaked at #88.[3]
Although not released until 1986, Boston recorded "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)" over 1981, 1982 and 1983.[4] According to the Third Stage liner notes, the song is about a reunion.[4] Scholz used the Rockman amplifier he invented to produce an effect in which the electric guitars sound like violins.[4][5] "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)" was the first song on which Scholz recorded his guitar part using a Rockman, in conjunction with a ten band equalizer for changing sounds.[6]
Boston Phoenix critic Milo Miles criticizes "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)" as "tedium."[7] He singles out the line "Where there's a will there's a way" as an example of the song's "prosaic, cliched lyrics."[7] However, Billboard Magazine regarded the song as one of the "best bets" to follow up on the success of the #1 single from Third Stage, "Amanda."[8] Los Angeles Times critic Steve Pond praises the "persuasive" sound at the climax, which he likens to the sound of "a couple dozen guitars" revving up.[9] Jerry Spangler of the Deseret News praised the song as a ballad that sounds like a "sure-fire winner".[10] Philip Booth of the Lakeland Ledger praises the song's "a capella vocal opening."[11] Tom Alesia of The Wisconsin State Journal regards the song's title as Boston's worst.[12]
Despite its chart success, "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)" was omitted from Boston's 1997 Greatest Hits album, for which the San Antonio Express criticized the package.[13]
Charts
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Top Singles | 88[3] |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 20[1] |
| US Mainstream Rock | 7[1] |
References
- 1 2 3 "Third Stage awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
- ↑ Downey, P., Albert, G. & Hoffmann, F.W. (1994). Cash box pop singles charts, 1950-1993. University of Michigan. p. 34. ISBN 1563083167.
- 1 2 "RPM 100 Singles" 46 (4). Library and Archives Canada. May 2, 1987. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- 1 2 3 "Third Stage". Boston. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ↑ Samuels, L. (August 26, 1986). "After Eight Years Boston Delivers More of the Same Old Bombast". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ↑ Stix, J. (July 1987). "Tom Scholz: A Normal Life". Guitar. pp. 46=53, 101.
- 1 2 Miles, M. (October 21, 1986). "Pop-Pourri". Boston Phoenix. p. 40. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ↑ "Spotlight". Billboard Magazine. October 4, 1986. p. 78. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ↑ Pond, S. (October 5, 1986). "Boston Eight Years After". Los Angeles Times. p. 76. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ↑ Spangler, J. (October 31, 2013). "Former Musical Kings Attempt to Climb Back to the Top". Deseret News. p. 8W. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ↑ Booth, P. (October 2, 1987). "Boston Proves a Point". Lakeland Ledger. p. 12. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ↑ Alesia, T. (July 13, 2003). "Dinosaurs Rock Festival Near Eau Claire Becomes Haven for Fading Rockers". The Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 2013-08-11. – via HighBeam (subscription required)
- ↑ "Don't Shoot! Give 'Greatest Hits' a Chance". San Antonio Express. August 1, 1997. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
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